Syriac Orthodox Community in Jerusalem

Syrian Orthodox Christians in Jerusalem are the oldest Christian denomination community tracing their origins back to the early centuries of Christianity. They are a small but very significant community in the city known for their rich religious and cultural heritage. One of the main centers of worship and cultural activities for the Syrian Orthodox Christians in the city is the Church of St. Mark, located within the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Church of St. Mark is an important pilgrimage site that holds great significance for the community. The church is believed to be the place where Jesus and His Disciples gathered. St. Mark’s church has spent years renovating an area of the church known as the "Upper Room," which is of upmost importance as it is believed to be the location where the last supper took place.

The Syrian Orthodox Christians in Jerusalem, like other Christian communities in the city, have faced various historical challenges and changes due to political shifts and conflicts in the region; however, they continue to maintain their Assyrian identity, religious practices, traditions, and connections to the holy sites in Jerusalem.

In this video, you can witness the visit of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch & the East, Supreme, Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, who made a historic visit to Jerusalem on May 4, 2023. Due to political reasons and instability, this was the first visit by a Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church since June 1966. His visit was genuinely historic. He visited the Church of St Mark and officiated the enthronement ceremony and installation of Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church.

During his visit, the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, also blessed the Upper Room of the church and was present in many other sites in the Holy Land during his visit.

Education, knowledge and traditions are very important to the Syrian Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land so the St. Aphraim School in Bethlehem which is owned by them is a key component of their values. The school welcomes children of all ages and Christian denominations. Their focus is on knowledge, unity, providing a sound Christian education, and teaching children Aramaic language. They emphasize teaching the Aramaic language to future generations, as it is believed that Jesus spoke Aramaic.